Sole-flexing machine.



Patent-ed Mar.- 18,1919..

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- W. C. STEWART. SQLE FLEXING NIACHlNE. APPucATxoN msoJULY 26 ma lvzzar.

W. C. STEWART.

SOLE FLEXING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. |913.

1,297,605. Patented Mar. 18,1919.

A3 sufrir-SHEET 2.

W. C. STEWART.

SOLE FLEXING MACHINE.

APPLlcArloN Fx,LED1uLY.2e.191a.

m W ow 1 @ZW ms Nunn/s persas co.. wma-urna.wasmnmnu. nv c.

y has been givento the sole.

,TED srnrns rarnivr ornron.

WILLIAM C. STEWART, OF SWAT/IP'SCOT'I, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEIASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEWJERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. .Y

SOLE-FLEXING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1s, V1919.

Application filed July ze, 1913. serial No. rsiaez.

chines of the type which are constructed and arranged to bend or flexthe 'sole a number of times to impart flexibility thereto.

In the operation of rendering the sole flexible by repeated bending,itis obviously essential that the sole be bent to a considerable extentduring the sole flexing operation, so as to exert a considerable strainon the bers of the stock. Machines of this class as heretofore devisedhave been constructed to bend the sole to the same extent during eachaction of the bending means, and since tlieleather is comparatively stiiand brittle when it is introduced into the inachine,'the sole is oftenbroken or injured during the first part of the flexingoperation.

One object of the invention is to produce a sole flexing machine of theabove type in which the sole may be rendered flexible by repeatedbending without liability' of breaking or injuring the sole. With thisobject in view, one feature of the invention contemplates the provisionof sole bending devices constructed and arranged to increaseprogressively the extent to which the sole is bent during successiveactions of the bending devices. By reason of this construction andarrangement of the bending devices, the sole may be bent to a relativelyslight extent during the first part ofthe flexing operation when it isVstiff and brittle and liable to be broken, and the extent of thebending of the sole during each succeeding action of t-he bendingdevices may be increased step by step until the vdesired degree o-fiiexibility Another object of the invention is to produceV a simple andeflicient sole Hexing machine of the type referred to which requireslittle skill, care yor attention the operator, U

' Other features of the'invent-lon consist of on the part of certainconstructions, arrangements and combinations of parts, the advantagesof. which will be understood by those skilled in the art` from thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings a machine is illustrated which embodies thevarious featuresof the invention in the best form at present known tothe inventor, but it is to be understood that except as ldefined in theclaims, the invention is not limited to any particular machlne'or typeof machine, or

Vto anyrparticular construction or arrangement of parts.

In the drawings illustrating a machineV 1 embodying4 the invention inits` preferred form, Figure l is a front elevation of the upper portionof the machine, with-a part of the frame broken away; Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the upper portion of the machine, illustratingcertain ofthe parts in different positions from those in which they appear in Fig.l; Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine; and Fig. 4 isa side elevation of thelower portion of the machine illustrating particularly the clutchmechanism for connecting the drivingl shaftrwith and for disconnectingit fromthe source of power.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises'devices for engaging di'erent portions of the detached sole which, isto be rendered flexible, and

means for relatively moving said devices a number of times in the samedirection tov impart flexibility thereto. During the solebendingoperation the sole is held in operative'position relative to thebending devices by suitably actuated gripping jaws. The gripping devicesforholding the sole during the sole bending operation comprises a fixedjaw l (Figs. l and 2) on which the sole rests,

formed upon the end of a horizontal arm 2" onthe frame of the machine,and a movable jaw 3 formed at the end of the horizontal 1.- To close'thejaw 3 on the sole'the vertical arm 6 of the bell crank'lev'er ls-.6 is

connected at its extremity with the inner end Y ofV a rod 7 (Fig. 1')which extends through a perforation in a lever` 8 pivoted on the@V stud5. A coiled spring 9 surrounds Athe rod 7 and is interposed between thelever 8 anda thumb nut 10V threaded on the outer end `of said rod. Thejaw 3 of the gripping device is moved toward and from the jaw 1 by meansof a toggle connecting the lower end of the lever 8 with a rock shaft 11journaled in the frame of the machine. toggle comprises pivotallyconnected links 12 and 13, of which the link 12 is pivotally connectedwith the lower end of the lever 8, and the link 13is fixed to the shaft11. When the toggle is broken, as illustrated inFig. 1, the movable jawof the gripping device -is maintained out of gripping relation with thefiXed jaw. TWhen the toggle is straightened, as shown in Fig. 2,

the movable jaw of the gripping device is brought down on the sole whichhas been placed on the jaw 1, and is thereby securely held in operatingposition. constructed and arranged so that movement imparted to themovable jaw by the straightening of the toggle is sufiicient to grip asole of minimum thickness between the jaws. Incase thek sole is of suchthickness that the movable jaw of the gripping device engages the solebefore the toggle is straightened, the coiled spring 9 yields andpermits a relative movement between the lever 8 and the arm 6 of thebellcrank lever, and under such a condition the movable jaw of tliegrippingdevice is held in yielding engagement with the sole. To operate thetoggle, a second arm 14 is fixed to the rock shaft 11 and is connectedwith the treadle 15 (Fig. 4) by means of the treadle rod 16. A suitablyconnected spring 17 lifts the treadle rod when the treadle is released.rl`he depression of the treadle will operate to rock the shaft 11 in adirectionto straighten the toggle and cause the jaws of the grippingdevice to grip the sole between them. l/Vhen the treadle is released andthe treadle rodis moved upwardly by the spring 17, the toggle is brokenand the movable jaw of the lgripping device is moved away from the sole,thus releasing it.

f The sole engaging Vand bending devices compriseva partial cylinder orroll 18 (Figs. 1 to 3) carried atthe end of andpreferably formedintegral with the arm 2. rlhis Y partial cylinder or roll forms acontinuation of the jaw 1, and thus is adapted to 'engage thelower faceof the sole as it lies between the Vjaws ofthe gripping device. f ,Asecond sole engaging device, preferably consisting of'a roll 19, isarranged to engage the upper face of the sole as it lies between thegripping jaws, and is mounted for movement about the aXis of the partialroll or cylinder 18 to bend the portion of the sole projecting beyondsaid partial roll away`v from the plane of the body of the sole. Thesupporting mechanism for the roll 19 com-Y This The parts are prises arock shaft'20 journaled in and centrally located with relation tothepartial roll 18, having arms 21 and 22 secured to its opposite endsprovided at'their upper extremities with bearings in which is journaleda shaft 23, on which is carried a frame 24 in which the roll 19 ismounted. The frame 24 is provided with upper arms 25 and 26 (Fig. 3),through which the shaft 23 passesY loosely, and with depending arms 27in which a shaft, carrying the roll 19, is j ournaled. f

During the operation ofthe machine the shaft 2O is rocked to swing theroll 19 about the partial roll 18. The arms 21 and 22 are providedwithstops, one of which isv shown at 28 in Fig. 1, and theframe 24isprovided with shoulders 29 opposed-to and arranged to be engaged by thestops 28. The frame 24 and the roll 19 carried thereby are normally heldin the position illustrated in Fig. 1 with relation to the arms 21 `and22,

with the shoulders 29 engaging the stops 28,l by means of a coiledspring 3(1)l surrounding the shaft 23 and securedk at one extremity toVward end of the shaft 20, the teeth of which gear mesh with the teeth ofa toothed segment 35 carried upon the end of an arm 36 secured to a rockshaft 37 journaled in the frame of the machine. A second arm 38 issecured to the shaft 37Vand is pivotallyconnected at its free end with apitman 39 extending 'from an eccentric strap 40 surrounding an eccentric41 on the driving shaft 42 of the machine. By means of this mechanismthe rotation of the main shaft 42 will oscillate the arm 36, and thesegment 35 carried thereby and thus swing the roll 19 back and forthabout the partial roll 18.

In operating upon a detached sole, theV sole is placed between the jawsof the gripping device with the forward portion of the sole extending tothe left (Fig. 1)-be youd the partial roll 18. The position of the solewith relation rto the sole bending device is determined by a gage 43against which the heel end of the so-le is placed, locating it betweenthe jaws of the gripping device. This gage is arranged to extend overthe surface of the table 44 formed by the portion of the frame to therear of the sole gripping jaws, and is mounted for adjustment toward andfrom the partial'roll 18 so that the distance which thesoleprojectsbeyond said rollwhen located in bending .position may be variedto accommodate soles of varying lengths. In-order that the gage 43 maybeadj usted in this manner, and

securely held in adjusted position, it is pro vided with a downwardlyextending portion which is grooved to receive airib 45 onxthe Y theinitial position ofthe roll V19 with rela.

tionrto the partialfroll 18. When the roll 19 is swung downwardly about`the partial roll 18, the roll 19 will. engage the portion of thesoleprojecting beyond the partial roll 18 and bend it about said partialroll, as illustrated in Fig. 2. During the swinging movement offthetroll 19 about the par-il tial roll 18, the resistanceof the solekto the movement of the roll 19 will overcome the tension of the spring30 and will, therefore,

cause the roll 19 to swing outwardly about the shaft 23 against thetension ofy the spring. Fig. 2 illustrates in dotted lines thepositionof the roll-19 duringvr the earlier part of the soleiexingoperation, when itV has been turned to some, extent about theshaft 23 by the resistance-ofthe sole toits pressure.

Each time that the roll 19. isgswungabout the partial roll 18theresistance of the. sole@ to the swinging movement of theroll 19 isless than during the previous swinging movement of saidroll, because ofthe increase in the flexibility lof, the sole,y and the roll 19willswing to a greater' extent about the partial roll 18, and bendthe'sole to a greater degree. thanl during its previous movement (seethetwo positions of the roll and the sole shownl in Fig( 2). 4 The move?ment of `theroll 19 with relation to the roll 18, and thejextenft` towhich the sole is bent,

therefore increases p-rogressively as thesole flexing operationprogresses. During each step in the flexing operation the spring 30yields before the sole is rbent to an. extent suiicient tobrealr` orinjure the sole. The

sole is bent to a relatively'slight degreeduring the firstpart o-f theflexing operation when it is comparatively lstiffand brittle, and stepby stepthe extentto ywhichrit is bent in each action ofthebendingdevices is increased imtil thesole has .acquired the desired degree offlexibility The'spring 30y deteiniines the v maximum bending force A aprt plied to the sole during the sole exing opeV the cap 51. A brakemember 54 is mounted eration, and this force may belvariedvto suit theparticular sole being operated upon n by varying the tension of thespring,y This may jlbe accomplished Yby rotating the shaftk 23 inaleft-handdirection, Fig.` 1, thewengagement of the pawl 32 with theratchetv wheel 33 operatingl to maintain the spring.

under the tension-for which it has been set.

In the present invention, mechanism is provided which actsautomaticallyto arrest the relative movement ofthe sole bendingY devices when thedesired degree of'flexibility of the sole has been attained.` With l lThe rotation of the main shaft `ofthe machine is controlled by asuitable clutch which is arranged to be engaged to start the` machinewhen the treadle is depressed. The

Y clutch mechanismfor the driving sha/ft (see Fig. 4) comprisesa drivenyclutch member- 48 fixe-d to the drivingv shaft 42, and a driving clutchmember 49 which consists ofa pulley arranged Yfor connection with anysuitable source of power and provided with a clutchsurface which isarranged to engage y the opposed clutch surface of the clutch memberV48. The pulley 49 `is. journaled upon a bushing 50 which is looselymounted on the shaft 42 `and is vmovable longitudinally of the shaft.Theouter endof the hubof the pulley 49 is engagedby a dish-shaped cap51, and the pulley is forced over into clutching engagement with theclutch member 48 by means of-lcoiled-springs 52, seated in suitablerecesses .in a member 53 secured, to the end of the shaft 42,thejspringsengaging an outwardly` projecting rflange on upon the shaft42 toy rotate therewith, but is arranged to slide longitudinally ofthethe machine. The mechanismv forI controlling'the clutch and vbrake isso` arranged that upon the depression ofthe treadlelthe clutch isengaged and the brake is disen-` gaged, and when the treadle is releasedand is moved upwardly by the spring 17 the4 clutch will be disengagedand the brake engagedjo stop the machine. This control-z ling' mechanismcomprises apin56 (Fig. 4)

-shaft intoi and out ,of lengagement withv a fixed brakeshoe55 securedto the frameof,l

mountedV in the clutch member 48 to slide in` l `adirectionlongitudinally of thjeshaftf 42y and 4provided with a head 57:arranged-to f engage the inner end of the bushing50. The

-pin 56 is held from turning movement in` the ,clutch member .48.,in anyconvenient manner. The inner end of the pin 56`is formed with aninclined face (see Fig. 4), and an arm 58 having a complemental inclinedface is fixed to a shaft 59 and ar-.`

ranged so'that its upper end may be swung ("i'nto a'positionadjacent theshaft v42 and between the brake member 54 and the path of the'inner endof the pin 56 (see Fig. 1).

Then the treadle is depressed to start the machine the'arm 58 is swungaway from the shaft 42 by the engagement of a forwardly projecting lug60 (Fig. l), upon a collar se-YV cured to the treadle rod 16, witha'late'rally projecting-lug 61 upon a collar 62 'secured' to the shaft59. When the arm 58 is swung 'away from the yshaft 42, the brake member54 is disengaged from the brake shoe 55 and the pulley 49 is enabled tobe moved by the springs 52 into clutching engagement with theclutclrmember 48. When the treadle is released, and the treadle rod ismoved upwardly under the influence of the-spring 17, the arm 58 is swunginwardly to bring its upper end between the brake member 54 and the pathof the pin 56 by a coiled spring 63 (Fig. 1) secured at one end to afixed point on the machine frame, and at the otherv into engagementwiththe complemental inclined surface at the end of the arm 58, and the pin56 will be moved to the right, Fig. 4, through the clutch member 48,thereby forcing the pulley 49 out of clutching engagement with theclutch member 48. The shaft 59 is arranged for a slight longitudinalmovement in lits bearings, and the thrust of the pin 56 against theouter inclined face of thearm 58 will force said arm in a direction toengage the brake member 54 with the brake shoe 55 to stop the machine.

In order that after the machine is started the relative movement of thesole bending devices may'continue until the desired degree offlexibility of the sole is attained, -and that their movement may thenbe arrested,

means is provided 'which acts to maintain the engagement of the membersofthe driving clutch, after the treadle has been dey pressed to engagesaid clutch members and start the machine, until a certain degree offlexibility has been imparted to the sole, and which is then actuated topermit the mechanism by which the clutch members are disengaged and thebrake engaged to act to stop the machine. rlhis means comprises an arm65 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured to the rock shaft 11 and provided at its endwith a recess 66 arranged to receive a roll 67 carried at the end of thearm 68 of a bell crank lever treadle is depressed to start the machine,the

arm 66 is lifted and the bell crank lever 68-69 is actuated by a spring71 to bring the roll V67 beneath the recess at the end-of Vthe arm 65.The engagementof the roll 67 insaid recess will retain the parts of themechanism for actuating the clutch in position tov maintain the VclutchVmembers in engagement, and the machine will continue to operate as longas the roll 67 is in engagement with the recess 66. During the soleflexing operation the resistance of the'sole to the-movement of the roll19 aboutthe 'partial roll 18 gradually diminishes as the sole'increasesin'flexibility, and the movement of the roll 19 about the roll 18increases, since the roll 195is swungV to a less degree about the lshaftk23 during each suc# cessive movement. A'roll 72 (Figs. 2 andy 3) ismounted upon theouter end of the shaft upon which the rroll 19 isjournaled,

and the arm 69 of thelbell crank lever 68-69 is provided with a curvedextremity, as shown in Figspl and 2, which extends into a position to beengaged by the roll l7 2 when the roll 19 reaches va predeterminedposition in its movements. about the roll 18,V

or when the degree of flexibility of the sole Y predetermined by theadjustment ofthe spring 30 hasbeen attained. Thus, in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, the engagement of the roll 72 with the arm69 occurs when the resistance of the sole is not suliicient to overcomethe pressure of the spring 30. The engagement of the roll 7 2 with thearm 69 will lift this arm and swing the bell crank lever 68*69 in adirection to release the roll 67 from therecess 66. -When members of thedriving clutch `and the engagement of the members of thebrake, vto stopthe machine. v v

l/Vhil'e it is preferred to employ the specific construction andarrangement ofthe parts .shown and described, since this constructionVand arrangement is the simplest and most efficient embodiment of theinvention which has yet been devised, it will be understood that thisconstruction and arrangement is not essential except so' far asspecified in the claims, and may be varied or modified without departingfromthe broader features Vof the invention.

Having explained thenature and object `of the inventiomand specificallydescribed one form of machine in which it'may be embodied, what isclaimed is 1.` A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, means forsupporting a sole', and

sole bending devices for repeatedly turning izo or bending'a portionofthe sole at an angle Yto another portion thereof acting to decreasekprogressively the angle betweenv themsaid n portions'of the,` sole asthe operationrproy lgresses'whereby the extent to which the sole i isbent is progressively increased. 2. A sole flexing machine, having, incombination, sole supporting means-and coperating devices for'repeatedly 'turningYK ora bending-one portion of the sole at'anangle toanother portion thereof, constructed and -arranged to increaseprogressively the extent rone portion of the soleat an angle to anotherportion thereof, constructed and arranged to,

increase progressivelyY the extentto which the tivo portions of the solearek relatively Y turned or bent as the sole flexing operation Y bent toa predetermined extentby the bend-1l ing devices.

progresses, and means for arresting the sole yflexing operation when apredetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted to the sole. 1

. 4. Asole flexing machina-having, in combination, sole supportingmeans, cooperating devices for repeatedly turning or bending one portionof the sole atan angle to another portion thereof, constructed andarranged to increase progressively the lextent to which,

the two portions of the sole are relatively turned or bent 'as the ysoleflexing operation progresses, and means for arresting the sole flexing oeration when the sole has been 5. A sole bination, relatively movablesole engaging devices, means for imparting successive relative movementsto said devices to bend the sole repeatedly, and means for causing avariation in the relative movement of said devices in successive actionsthereof to increase progressively the degree to which the sole is bentas the sole increases in flexibility.

6. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, relatively movablesole bending devices, means for relatively moving said devicessuccessively to bend the sole repeatedly, means foi-'causing a variationin the relative movement of said devices as the flexing operationprogresses to increase progressively the extent to which the sole isbent, and means to arrest the operation 'of the machine when apredetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted to the sole.

7 A sole flexing machine, having, incombination, relatively movable soleengaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices successivelyto bend the sole repeatedly, and means for causing a progressive flexingmachine, having, in comincreasein the` relative movementof said devicesvas the sole llexing operation progresses to increase progressively theextent toiwhich the soleis bentg, i

8. A sole flexing rmachine, having, in bination, devices forengagingazsolearranged for relative movement to bend the V sole, meansfor successively moving saiddevices lrelatively to each other;l to, bend.the sole repeatedly, means `for causingy a pro- Agressive increase inthe extent of thecrelative movement of said devices to increaseprogressively the extent to which vthe sole is Ybent Vas the soleincreases in flexibility, and I' means acting automatically to arrestthe operation of the machine when the relative movement ofsaid deviceshasy reached a'pre- Y 'determined extent. f Y

9. A sole flexing machine, having, in com? #bination, sole engagingdevices arranged for relative movement to y bend the sole, means forsuccessively moving said -devices relatively -to each otherto bendthevsolerepeatby said devices.

10. A sole lexing machine, having, incomvvbination, relatively movablesoleengaging devices, means foryfrelatively moving said I devicessuccessively to; bend theI solefrepeatbination, sole engaging devices,means for relatively moving said devices' successively `tobend-the vsolerepeatedly,`a spring to permit one of said devices to yield to theresistance of the sole during their relative movement and thereby causea progressive increase in the extent to which the sole'is ibent as thesole increases in flexibility, and

means acting automatically to arrest the operation of the machine whenthe sole is bent to a predetermined extent by said devices.

12. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, relatively movablesole engaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices to bendthe sole, a spring arranged to permit one of said devices toyield to theresistance of the sole during the relative movement lof said devices,and means whereby the tension of the spring may be adjusted.

13. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, a sole engagingmember having a convex face, nieans for holding the sole in positionwith one face thereof resting on said member, and with a portion thereofprojecting freely beyond said member, a device for engaging the portionof the sole beyond said member, and means for moving said devicesuccessively with relation to said 'edly, and means for determining -themaximum bending force toubefapplied to the sole member to bend the freeprojecting portion of the sole repeatedly about the convex face vof saidmember. l

14. A sole flexingV machine, having, in combinatioma sole'engagingmember, means f vfory holdingcthe sole in position with one face thereofresting on said member, and

with a portionthereof projectingfreely beyond said member, a device forengaging the free projecting portion of the sole, means for vmovingsaid' device successively with relation to said member to bend the freepro- A jecting portion of the solerepeatedly at an freely beyond theroll, a shaft -arranged coaxially with the roll, a device for engagingthe free lprojecting portion of the sole supported on said shaft, andmeans for moving said device successively about the axis of the roll tobend the portion of the sole engaged thereby repeatedly about the roll,comprising a gear fast on said shaft,`a gear Y segment meshing With saidgear, and means for oscillating said gear segment. l 16. A sole flexingmachine, having in coin-4 bination, relatively movableI sole engagingdevices, means for relatively moving said devices to bend the sole, aspring arranged to permit one of said devices to yield to theresistanceof the sole Aduring the relative movement of said devices, atrippingmember moving -With the latter device, a trip lever .arranged to beactuated by the tripping member when a predetermined degree offlexibility has been imparted to the.l sole, and means controlled by thetrip lever/for arresting the operation of the machine when thetrip leveris actuated by the tripping member. i f

17. VA sole flexing machine, having in` combination, a sole engagingmember having a j convex face, means for holding thes'ole in positionwith one face thereof restingon said member and with a portion thereofpro- Y jecting freely beyond saidvmember, a device;

for engaging the portion ,of the sole projecting beyond said memberpivoted to swing about the convex face of said member, means forswinging said device successively about j the sole repeatedly, a springarranged to Y permit'said device to yield to the, resistance .of thesole during its sole bending movelthe `convex face of said member t0bend' ment, a tripping member mountedto move l with said device, atriplever arranged to be actuated by said tripping `member when apredetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted tothe sole, andmeans controlled by the trip lever for arresting the operation of themachine when the trip lever is actuated by the tripping member.

WILLIAM c. sTEwAivr.l j Witnesses: Y

iCniEsTnR E. ROGERS, i'

RUTH E. WARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained'for iive'centseach, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C

